Electronic device cathode ray tubes



March 8, 1960 W. R. AIKEN ETAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE CATHODE RAY TUBES FiledMay 2, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToRs WILLIAM n. AIKEN LBSLI@ J- @ookBu@ A. SHANAFRLT BTTORNY March 8,1960 w. R. AIKEN ETAL ELECTRONIC DEVICECATHODE RAY TUBES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2, 1955 f JNVENToRs WILLIAMJR. AIKRN L SLIE I COOK BY )C F5- 51"! ANAFELT March 8, 1960 w. R.AlKl-:N ETAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE cATHonE RAY TUBES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledMay 2, 1955 r/ /////%Zf /A W by@ n@ T m MXR? Y VMOH m mnw a M m Ams. T.MLA a umm w L W .www

March 8, 1960 w. R. A IKEN ETAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE CATHonE RAY TUBESFiled may 2, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENToRs Smm WILLIAM R BIKEN 5%ATTORNEY United States Patent ELECTRONIC DEVICE CATHODE RAY TUBESWilliam R. Aiken and Leo A. Shanafelt, Los Altos, and

Leslie J. Cook, Lafayette, Calif., assiguors, by mesue assignments, toKaiser Industries Corporation, a corporation of Nevada Application May2, 1955, Serial No. 505,202 17 Claims. (Cl. 313-78) The presentinvention is directed to a new novel cathode ray tube and a method forproducing same. More specifically, the invention is concerned with acathode ray tube known in the art as the Aiken-type tube employing theelectrostatic deflection principles set forth in the U.S. Patent No.2,795,731, which issued to W. R. Aiken on June 11, 1957. p

The Aiken-type tube, in its basic concepts, is comprised of aconfiguration which approximates that of a picture adapted for wallmounting. In a smaller size the tube is comparable in size and shape toa metropolitan telephone directory.

The novel Aiken-type tube in its most basic form cornprises an electrongun and a primary section including a set of horizontal deflectionelectrodes, a transition Section including a focusing and anaccelerating electrode, and a high voltage section including a targetand a set of vertical deflection plates spaced therefrom.

An electron beam is delivered by the gun into the primary section alonga path vwhich lies adjacent the horizontal deflection plates, Byapplication of signal voltages to the deflection plates, the beam isbent vertically at any desired plate and through the transition sectioninto the field-free region between the transparent deflection plates andthe electrically charged phosphor target; Deflection of the beam intothe target at any desired vertical level is achieved by applyingvoltages to a corresponding one of the vertical deflection plates. Thusthe position of the spot created by the deflected beam may be controlledas desired.

The numerous advantages and applications of the socalled flat tube arewell known to persons skilled in the art. Prominent among the featuresand advantages attendant of this general type are its overallcompactness which permits the use thereof in smaller areas; extremelyhigh definition and resolution which results from the inherently sharpelectrostatic focus arrangement; the reduction in expensive componentsresulting from the use of only electrostatic deflection elements and theelimina tion of yhigh voltage deflection yokes, vertical and horizontaloutput transformers, magnetic deflection coils, and othersr of the bulkyand expensive components now incidental to the vertical and horizontalstages for use with cathode ray tubes now known in the art. The noveltube of the` instant invention also features the reduction in weightofits physical mass, and the minimization and simplification of adjustmentof the tube for use in the desired applications; flexibility inadaptation to mounting in various positions and in association withother equipment, and adaptability for use with other types of electronicand optical units. These, and other features and advantages, have beenset forth only briefly herein, and numerous other features andadvantages will doubtless be apparent .to parties skilled in the art.

In the embodiments of the Aiken tube disclosed in :the aforementionedapplications the electrodes which form the deflection and focusingelectrodes of the primary and transition sections were made of separatemetal elec- ICC trodes which were mounted on insulating frames. The highvoltage section was formed of individual members of nonconducting glasshaving coatings thereon. The high voltage section, transition sectionand primary structure were supported within an evacuated envelope.

In the present invention all internal structures with the exception ofthe electron gun are formed by applying conductive films toappropriately contoured surfaces of the vacuum envelope. That is, twomolded panels are formed to provide internal surfaces pressed thereonwhich geometrically conform with the surfaces of the deflection andfocusing electrodes of the primary and transition sections utilized inthe above described prior art embodiments. The primary and transitionsections comprise discrete conductive coatings applied to the innercontoured surfaces of the panel walls to provide focusing, acceleratingand deflection electrodes thereon, and the high voltage sectioncomprises a series of deflection plates coated on the inner surface ofone panel and a fluorescent target material coated on the inner surfaceof the mating panel. Thus the entire tube consists of two glass panelshaving coated control sections on the interior surface thereof andelectron gun. Such arrangement obviously offers substantialmanufacturing economies and a tube of extreme ruggedness andreliability.

It will be manifest that electron beam source means may be utilized withthe tube in a number of various manners. The beam source means, whichmay be an electron gun of the conventional design with or withoutelectrostatic focus, can for example, be-disposed so as to initiallydeliver a beam of electrons along a path in substantial alignment withthe primary deflection electrodes, or the beam source means may bedisposed adjacent a vertical edge of the tube envelope and sealed withinthe envelope so as to deliver a beam of electrons along a path which isinitially perpendicular to an array of primary deflection electrodes. Inthe latter method of beam source disposition, the gun would preferablybe 'completely housed within the unit and the electron beam would beinitially bent by employing a ninety degree electron lens mirror todirect the beam into the primary section and to travel a path which isin substantial alignment with the primary deflection electrodes. Otherarrangements will be obvious with reference to the aforeidentifiedapplications.

There is also set forth herein an inexpensive, novel and practicalmethod of producing a cathode ray tube, and particularly a novel methodof producing a cathode ray tube having an integral electrode arrangementwith makes possible subjection of the tube to shock vibration loads ofgreatly increased magnitudes and the provision of an extremely thin tubestructure.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the cathode ray tube of the instantinvention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the tube taken along line 2 2 of Figurel,

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the tube which clearly illustrates theinternal structure of the glass panels,

Figure 4 is an end view of an embodiment of thetube partially brokenaway,

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the tube, and

Figure 6 is a front view of the tube partially broken away showing anembodiment of the invention wherein the electron gun is disposed so asto initially deliver a beam of electrons along a path which issubstantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the horizontaldeflection electrode structure.

Referring now to a description of the embodiment illustrated in Figuresl, 2, and 3, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the cathode ray tube ofthe invention in its aS- sembled unitary form. It will be noted that thetube envelope is comprised of two mating glass panels and 11 which whensealed together form the composite attractive unitary tube. The panel 10is adapted to carry a fluorescent coating which is fixedly positioned inlaminated relation with the upper inner surface thereof which will beshown and fully described hereinafter with particular reference toFigure 3. Also, the panel 10 is formed with suitable inner geometry tocarry conductive coatings along the bottom inner surface portion infixedly positioned and laminated relation therewith.

The panel 11 is adapted to carry a plurality of optically transparentdeflection elements 14 which are fixedly positioned in laminatedrelation with the upper portion of the inner surface. These deflectionelements 14 are formed by painting or otherwise coating on the innersurface of the panel 11 an electrically conducting material which isoptically transparent.

It has been found advantageous to apply a coating of stannic chloridebetween the adjacent vertical deflection electrodes 14 to provide aninsulating medium therebetween as well as to provide a leakage path forany charge which migh accumulate on the tube wall between theseelectrodes 14. Materials such as stannic chloride are suitable for suchapplication in that the material is optically transparent and by propertreatment as set forth in the copending application having Serial No.521,201 which was filed on July 11, 1955 by W. R. Aiken and assigned tothe assignee of this invention, now Patent No. 2,864,970, exhibits highresistance to the conduction of electrical energy.

The lower portion of the panel 11 is provided with laterally extendinglongitudinal grooves and projections which correspond and mate withgrooves and projections formed in the lower portion of the panel 10. Itwill be noted that the panels 10 and 11 are formed so as to receive anelectron gun assembly 12 at the one corner of the unitary envelope, thelower left-hand corner being illustrated in the present disclosure.

The unitary envelope is made of the two-mating panels 10 and 11 joinedtogether with sintering a low-tempera ture glass frit during the finalprocessing of the tube, In order to reduce or minimize the moldingexpenses, the envelope is so designed that the two panels 10 and 11 aremolded from identical molds. When the two panels 10 and 11 are sealedtogether, the corresponding grooves and projections in the lowerportions of the panels mate, and as coated, form the primary andtransition sections of the tube.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the tube of Figure l taken along line 22 showing the cross-sectional con` figuration of the tube envelope andthe relative disposition of the fluorescent target, and the deflection,acceleration and focusing electrodes. The high voltage section of thetube comprises the fluorescent coating 13 which is applied to the innersurface of the glass panel 10 and the vertical deflection elements 14which are applied to the inner surface of the glass panel 11. Thefluorescent coating 13 is composed of a material, such as phosphor,which will exhibit luminescence upon being excited by an impinging beamof electrons. Such coating may be transparent, if desired. The coating13 is maintained at the desired potential by a power supply situatedoutside of the tube envelope and connected thereto through suitableelectrical conductors 13a. The vertical deflection elements may beenergized as desired by signals extended over conductors 14a to theindividual ones of the vertical deflection electrodes. Voltage generatorequipment for energizing the electrodes in this manner is set forth inthe above mentioned copending applications and in copending applicationSerial No. 659,677 which was filed May 16, 1957.

The lower portion of the glass panels 10 and 11 are produced with aplurality of grooves and ridges which are co-extensive with the innersurface of the panels and provide the surfaces on which the electricallyconducting material is coated. These coating comprise the electrodestructures of the primary section.

As shown in the sectional view of Figure 2, the primary sectioncomprises an array of horizontal deflection. electrodes 20, each ofwhich is generally U-shaped in cross-section. The array extends theentire length of the panels as is clearly apparent in Figure 3. Theelectrodes 20 are spaced from one another by an uncoated area, and asshown in Figure 3 one half of each electrode is painted on the left handpanel 10 and the other half of each electrode is painted in matingrelation on the right hand panel 11. Each of the electrodes 20 areenergized over suitable electrical conductors 20a by an electricgenerator such as shown in the above identified copending application,which resides outside the tube wall.

The transition section is also accomplished by the coating ofcooperating geometric configurations on the inner surfaces of the glasspanels. That is, the glass panels 10 and 11 are provided with inwardlyextending projections 21 and 22 respectively, the adjacent surfaces ofwhich are spaced further apart along the top portion than along thebottom portion to provide a divergent aperture for the beam as it passestherethrough. A conducting strip 23 is applied at the bottom andinclined surfaces of the ridge 21 and a conducting strip 24 is appliedto the similar portion of the ridge 22. The conducting strips 23 and 24are substantially coextensive with the length of the panels and arealso, as in the case of electrodes 20, energized from a power supplydisposed outside of the tube wall through suitable electrical conductors23a and 24a. The coatings 23 and 24 are to be operated at the samepotential and together form an electrode assembly hereinafter referredto as a slotted accelerating electrode which is substantiallycoextensive with the length of the glass panels.

A conductive coating 27 is applied to the inner surface of glass panel10 to provide the indicated strip which is suitably energized from asource of potential outside of the tube wall through electricalconductor 27a. A similar coating 28 is applied to the inner surface ofthe glass panel 11 and disposed in a like position relative to theconducting strip or electrode 27 and is energized over conductor 28a.The conducting strips or electrodes 27 and 28 constitute an electrodepair referred to as a first focusing electrode. These strips are formedto be substantially coextensive with the length of the inner surface ofthe glass panels 10 and 11 respectively.

T-wo additional conducting strips 31 and 32 are applied to the innersurfaces of the glass panels 10 and 11, respectively, to provide thesecond focusing electrode, and are coextensive in length with theconducting strips 27 and 28. The panels 10 and 11 are formed withinwardly extending portions 29 and 30 respectively and are so formed asto achieve the desired spaced relationship between the electricallyconducting strips 31 and 32. It will be noted that the conducting stripsor the electrodes 31 and 32 are spaced apart a lesser amount that theelectrodes 27 and 28 and that these strips or electrodes 31 and 32 arealso energized from a source of potential situated outside of the tubewall through suitable electrical conductors 31a and 32a.

It will be discerned that each of the aforementioned electrodes isdisposed in such a manner that each is suitably spaced from its nextadjacent electrode in an amount suflicient to be insulated therefrom. Ifnecessary, a desired non-conducting material, such as for example achrome oxide solution, properly treated so as to become non-conductive,can be utilized to militate against any conditions effecting shorting orarcing which might occur between adjacent electrodes. Also, a coatingmaterial having high electrical resistance characteristics, such as forexample properly treated stannic chloride could be applied between theadjacent electrodes to provide a leakage path thereby militating againstany undesired charge spasms cumulation which might otherwise occur onthe untreated glass of the panels.

The glass panels and 11 are fabricated in such a manner that the primarysection, including the horizontal dellection electrodes 20, theelectrodes 23 and 24, and the focusing electrodes 27, 28; 31 and 32; isslightly offset relative to the high -voltage or display section. Thepurpose of this olset relation is such that the electron beam which isdeflected, accelerated, and focused within the primary section may becaused to travel along a path which is more closely adjacent thevertical deflection electrodes 14 of the high voltage section than thetarget. The approximate path of the electron beam is diagrammaticallyshown in Figure 2.

The display area or high voltage portion of the tube may be designed tobe flat with a thickness of 1/z inch. This thickness effects a rigidconstruction and enables the tube to withstand the dellectionof theglass panels under vacuum loading. The peripheral marginal portions ofthe mating glass panels are turned inwardly. Manifestly, with theutilization of the 1/z inch thick glass and integral inwardly turnededge portions, the deflection of the glass panels 10 and 11 under vacuumloading produces a load on the frit seal 8 which is almost entirelycompressive.

It has also been found that satisfactory results may be obtained in theinstant invention by forming, where appropos, at least some of theconducting strips on the surfaces of the tube of tin oxide films.

In order to achieve the proper boundary conditions required to obtain apicture extending all the way to the marginal edge of the fluorescenttarget 13, the side-wall sections are coated with an electricallyconducting material 33 such as a suspension of chromium-oxide (CrO3) andsilicic acid (H4Si04). This coating 33 is maintained at the desiredpotential from a power supply situated outside of the tube wall througha suitable electrical conductor. Further, the coating 33 provides asemiconducting path which maintains the required electric fieldthroughout the display area.

All the electrical leads or conductors are introduced through side wallportions of the tube in close proximity to those electrodes which areintended to be energized. The leads for the high voltage deflectionplates 14 are introduced along the inwardly turned edge portion of thepanels as is clearly illustrated with reference to Figure 3. Sucharrangements is a definite factor in accomplishing the reduction ofshielding requirements required inside of the envelope. The electricalconnections are introduced through suitable conductors fused through theside wall of one of the glass panels, for example panel 10, asillustrated in Figure 3. It is noted that the size of the primary andtransition sections relative to the high voltage section have beenenlarged substantially in the drawings (and especially in Figures 4-6)for the purpose of effecting a more clear disclosure of these sections.

It is to be understood that the operation of the instant invention issubstantially identical with the operation of the cathode ray tubes setforth and described in detail in the aforeidentified Patent No.2,795,731. The invention herein set forth is directed to an improvementof the structure of the cathode ray tubes disclosed and claimed in theabove applications, and also is directed to a novel method offabricating the same. However, it is deemed timely to briefly describethe operational characteristics of the tube for purposes of a morecomplete description herein.

In operation, the electron gun`12, upon suitable energization from anincoming video signal (in television use), causes an electron beam 15 tobe delivered along a path which is in substantial parallel alignmentwith the longitudinal axis of the linear array of horizontal defiectionplates 20. Initially, all the horizontal deflection plates aremaintained at some potential negative with respect to the cathodepotential of the electron gun 12.

As the electron beam 15 enters the region dened by the electrostaticfield established by the horizontal deflection electrodes 20, mostadjacent to the source of electrons, the repelling force of said fieldcauses the beam to be deflected upwardly in a direction away from thefirst electrode of horizontal deflection electrodes 20. The equalpotential lines established within the horizontal deflection electrodes20 deflect the electrons through the open side of the electrodes 20 andthe slotted accelerating electrode assembly comprised of electrodes 23and 24.

In the initial condition in which the horizontal dellection electrodes20 are maintained negative with respect to the beam, it has been foundthat satisfactory results were obtained by applying a potential of 800volts negative with respect to the cathode potential of the electrongun. The slotted accelerating electrode assembly is likewise maintainedat 800 volts potential positive with respect to the cathode potential ofthe electron gun.

In achieving a line scan, signals are applied to the horizontaldeflection plates 20 in succession, the signals as applied to adjacentelectrodes being preferably effected in an overlapping manner. That is,a signal is applied to the deflection electrode closest to the course ofelectrons which drives the electrode in a positive direction appreachingthe value of potential on the slotted electrode assembly. However, priorto the instant the potential value on the first plate reaches a valuesubstantially equal to the potential of the slotted electrode assembly,a positive going signal is applied to the next adjacent plate.Manifestly, when the potential on the first plate reaches theapproximate value potential on the slotted accelerating electrodeassembly, a field-free zone is established within the region defined bythe slotted electrode and the horizontal deflection pla-te and theelectron beam is free to travel to the next adjacent horizontaldeflection plate. This procedure is repeated along the entire array ofplates in such a manner that the charge on at least two plates is alwayschanging at the same tlme.

Further, it is to be understood that the order in which the horizontaldeflection electrodes 20 are charged or discharged may be reversed. Insuch case, initially all the electrodes 20 of the horizontal deflectionarray are maintained positive with respect to the cathode potential ofthe electron gun -12. The potential value in such case is equal to thepotential value impressed on the slotted accelerating electrodeassembly, thereby establishing a field-free zone along the entirelongitudinal dimension of the array of horizontal deflection electrodes20. The field-free zone permits the electrons which comprise theelectron beam 15 to travel the entire length thereof. In operation, thehorizontal deflection electrode 20 most distant from the electron gun 12is driven negative. As soon as this electrode is driven toward itsmaximum value, a negative Igoing signal is applied to the next ad jacentelectrode and this procedure repeats successively along the entire arrayof horizontal deflection electrodes.

In either arrangement, after the electron beam has been deflected by thehorizontal deflection electrodes 20, the ybeam 15 is caused to be passedthrough the slotted accelerating electrode assembly comprised of theelectrodes 23 and 24 and accelerated thereby toward the high voltagesection. The beam 15 is next caused to pass through two pairs offocusing electrode structures, the first of which is comprised ofelectrodes 27 and 28, which in a satisfactorily operated embodiment, wasmaintained. at 2 kv. potential negative with respect to the cathodepotential of the electron gun 12. The second focusing electrode assemblycomprised of electrodes 31 and 32, 1s maintained within the range offrom 0 to 8 kv. poten-- tial negative with respect to the cathodepotential of the electron gun 12. These focusing electrodes establishelec.A trostatic fields which tend to focus the electron beam in,`

display section of the tube.'

The electron beam 15, after being deflected, accelerated, and focused inthe primary section, is caused to travel along a path in close proximityto the optically transparent vertical deflection electrodes 14. Thevertical deflection system is operated much in the same manner in whichthe horizontal deflection system is operated. The signals applied to thevertical deflection electrodes 14 are also preferably applied in anoverlapping manner so that the potential on at least two adjacentelectrodes 14 is changing at the same time. Initially, these verticaldeflection electrodes 14 and the fluorescent target 13 are maintained atsubstantially 13 kv. potential positive with respect to the cathodepotential of the electron gun 12. By virtue of the fact that each of theelements of the high voltage section is maintained at an equal potentialvalue, a field-free region is established therewithin permitting theelectron beam 15 to travel unobstructively within the field-free regionuntil a suitable negative potential is applied to one of the verticaldeflection plates 14.

As one electrode 14 is driven negative with respect to the cathodepotential of the electron gun 12, the so driven electrode 14 exerts adeecting force on the beam 15 causing it to be deflected toward andimpinge on the fluorescent target 13. The electron impingement upon thefluorescent material of the target 13 causes the material to becomeexcited and thereby give off luminescence of an intensity which isdirectly proportional to the intensity of the impinging electron beam15. Manifestly, the light emitted from the fluorescent coating may beviewed through the optically transparent dellection electrodes 14 andalso may be viewed from a position toward the opposite side of thetarget 13. In some cases it may be desirable to employ verticaldeflection electrodes 14 which are formed of an electrical conductor,such as copper or the like, in which case the image or display presentedon the target 13 may be viewed from only a single side.

It is apparent from the foregoing discussion that the position of thebeam impingement on the target 13 at any given instant will beconsistent with the particular ones of the horizontal and verticaldeflection electrodes 20 and 14, which are energized at such instant,and the value of the energizing signal applied thereto.

Thus in the use of the novel tube with a conventional televisionreceiver, the horizontal deflection plates will be cyclically energizedat a time rate which is consistent with the provision of the line scanof a television picture, and the vertical deflection plates will beenergized at a time rate which is consistent with the provision of aframe scan of a television picture. The energizaton of the vertical andhorizontal deflection plates may be effected by suitable electronicgenerator means which are synchronized in their operation by theincoming sync signal received from the television transmitting station.

The incoming video signal is applied to gun 12 in the conventionalmanner to effect the reproduction of the transmitted video picture bythe beam in its trace over the target.

Various forms of electronic generators suitable for use therewith havebeen set forth in the copending applications having Serial No. 355,965and Serial No. 396,120. The novel tube can, of course, be used in any ofthe known cathode ray tube applications, the nature of the associatedcircuitry for use therewith varying with the nature of its applicationin a manner known in the art.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5, thetube is comprised of two mating glass panels 40 and 41. An electron gun42 is adapted to be disposed at the lower right hand portion of theassembled panels 40 and 41 within an aperture formed therein. Thehorizontal deflection system comprises a plurality of electrodes 43which are formed by coating appropriate portions of the lower innersurface of the panels with an electrically conductive material such as,for example, ytin oxide. The electrically conducting coatings applied tothe glass panels 40 and 41 are so disposed that when the two matingpanels are sealed together the coatings are urged together in such amanner as to form a plurality of electrode structures 43. Theseindividual deflection electrodes 43 are electrically separated from oneanother by untreated portions of the glass panels or by applying coatingof a non-conducting material such as, for example, chrome oxide, betweenthe individual electrodes 43. Each one of the deflection electrodes 43of the horizontal dellection system is electrically connected to anelectrical generator situated outside of the tube wall throughindividual electrical conductors 43a.

The glass panels 40 and 41 are formed with integral inwardly extendingridges 45 and 46 respectively. Electrically conductive coatings 47 and48 are applied to the bottom and inclined surfaces of each of the ridgeportions 45 and 46. Suitable electrical conductors 47a and 48a areprovided to supply the desired voltage to each of these coatings 47 and48 from a source of potential outside of the tube wall. The conductivecoatings or films 47 and 48 constitute an electrode assembly referred toas the slotted accelerating electrode.

Disposed in spaced relation above the slotted accelerating electrode,there is a pair of electrically conductive coatings 51 and 52 applied tothe respective inner surface of each of the glass panels 40 and 41,respectively. These coatings are adapted to be energized from a sourceof potential outside of the tube wall through suitable electricalconductors 51a and 52a, and together thc coatings 51 and 52 form afocusing electrode assembly.

In a like fashion, conductive coatings 53 and 54 are applied to theinner surface of the glass panels 40 and 41 respectively in spacedrelationship above the electrodes 51 and 52. The electrodes 53 and 54are energized from a source of potential outside the tube wall throughsuitable electrical conductors 53a and 54a. These electrodes 53 and 54form an additional focusing electrode assembly and are spaced apart fromone another a distance which is somewhat less than the spacing betweenthe rst pair of focusing electrodes 51 and 52.

In the present embodiment, the glass panel 41 is formed with a ledgeportion 55 which is substantially perpendicular to the outer face of thepanel. The ledge portion 55 is adapted to carry an electrode 56 which isformed of an electrically conductive coating and a suitable electricalconductor 56a (Figure 5) extends energizing potential thereto from asource outside the tube wall.

The display area or high voltage section of the tube comprises a coatingof fluorescent material 57 on the inner surface of the panel 41 and ismaintained at the desired potential positive with respect to the cathodepotential of the electron gun 42 by a power supply located outside thetube wall through a suitable electrical conductor 57a.

The vertical deflection elements 58 of the high voltage section of thetube are disposed on the inner surface of the glass panel 40. Theelements or electrodes 58 are preferably formed of an electricallyconducting optically transparent material thereby making it possible toview the display presented on the target from either side of the unitarytube. However, the vertical deflection electrodes 58 can be formed of anelectrically conducting material which is opaque, in which case thedisplay presented by the fluorescent target area may bc viewed from onlya single side of the tube.

It has been found advantageous to apply a coating of material havinghigh resistance properties such as a stannic chloride solution, betweenthe adjacent vertical deflection electrodes. This coating provides aninsulating medium between the individual electrodes 58 and also providesa leakage path for any charge which might acumuiate thereon and wouldotherwise tend to establish spurious electrostatic fields. Each of thevertical deflection electrodes 58 isvenergized over suitable electricalconductors 58a which extend to a suitable electric generator situatedoutside the tube wall.

I The operation of the cathode ray tube illustrated in Figures 4 and 5is identical with the operation of the embodiment of the tube shown anddescribed in connection with Figures l, 2 and 3. Briefly, theenergization of the electrodes 'of the tube may be effected in theseveral manners set forth in the description of the rst embodiment. Inthe embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 an additional electrode 56 is employedto effect a sharper bend of the electron beam 42a along the lowermostregion of the fluorescent target. As previously pointed out in thedescription of the operation of the tube, the vertical deiiectionelectrodes 58 are energized in an overlapping manner, or in other words,lthe voltage on at least two deflection electrodes 58 is changing at thesame instant, and the beam is therefore always under the influence ofthe deflecting forces caused to be established by at least two verticaldeflection elements S8. It may be easily discerned that this operationalcharacteristic may be readily achieved in connection with all thevertical deilection electrodes 58 with the exception of the lowermostone. Therefore, in order to cause a strong attracting force to beestablished in the region of the lowermost one of the plurality ofvertical deflection electrodes, a potential is applied to the electrode56 which is positive with respect to the cathode potential of theelectron gun 42. The attracting force or field established therebycauses the electron beam to be bent rather sharply toward thefluorescent target 57 after being deflected by the lowermost one of thevertical deflection electrodes 58. It is obvious tha-t the potentialapplied to the electrode 56 can be maintained at a constant value duringthe operation of the tube or could possibly be synchronized with thevoltage signal applied to the lowermost vertical dellection electrodes58. Further the value of the signal may be varied as desired to achievethe best deector. If desired, the conductive coating or electrode 56 maybe an extension of the conductive target coating 57 and may be likewisemaintained at the same positive potential with respect to the cathodepotential of the electron gun 42.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein the electron gun60 is disposed within a cavity formed by the two mating glass panelswhich together comprise the unitary cathode ray tube. It will be notedthat the electron gun is adapted to deliver an electron beam 61 alongthe vertical marginal edge of the tube. There is provided a ninetydegree electron mirror 63 which is energized from a source of potentialoutside of the tube wall through a suitable electrical conductor. Theelectron mirror 63 is capable of eecting a ninety degree bend of theelectron beam 61 to thereby cause the beam to travel into the regiondefined by the horizontal deflection electrodes 64 and the skirtedaccelerating electrode 65. The operation of the primary section of thetube comprising the skirted accelerating electrode 65 and the focusingelectrodes 67 and 68 is the same as the operation of the correspondingsections shown and described with reference to the other figures of thedrawings.

The embodiment shown in Figure 6 provides an extremely rugged andattractive unitary cathode ray tube. Such a unit is readily adaptablefor wall mounting. There are numerous advantages effected by such aunitary cathode ray tube including ease of packaging, ease of mounting,ruggedness of design, elimination of the necessity of providingprotection for the fragile electron gun assembly and others which arereadily apparent to those skilled in the art.

One of the contemplated uses of the instant invention is in connectionwith aircraft navigation. In such use, the cathode ray tube would haveto function continuously in all possible orientations of the airplane.It is conteniplated that information associated with the position andheading of the airplane would be displayed on the fluorescent target ofthe tube and in such event a scale-factor identical in both directionsis to be provided on the display surface. The sweep speeds of thehorizontal and vertical detlection systems are in such an application,equal, and the display or target area would be square.

The method of producing the cathode ray tube consists of preparing dieforms of the proper geometry to provide the desired contours of thepanels which form the resultant tube envelope. In the preferredembodiment, the two mating pieces are identical in design to effect areduction in mold costs. The molding operation may be accomplished byany of the well known methods of forming glass into a desired shape. Themolded glass panels are then cleaned in preparation for the applicationof the electrically conductive coatings which form the intervalelectrode structures of the finished tube.

The various electrodes are formed by applying an electrically conductivematerial to the surfaces of the molded glass panels. The electricallyconductive material may be coated on the panels by any of the knownmethods such as painting, spraying, applying strips of electricallyconductive material to the molded panels by the application of heat andpressure and any of the other conventional methods. It has been foundthat satisfactory results can be obtained by employing electricallyconductive materials such as tin oxide or paints compounded from glassfrit and colloidal silver.

Subsequent to lthe application of the electrically conducting materialcomprising the electrode structures, a fluorescent material, such as forexample phosphor, is coated on the approximate portion of the surface ofone of the molded panels in an area corresponding in size with the areaoccupied by the electrodes which comprise the vertical deflection systemon an opposing panel.

The last stage of fabrication involves disposing an electron gun in theappropriate location and sealing the panels together. Sealing may beaccomplished by any one of a number of well known methods. One preferredmethod of joining the two mating sections comprises sntering a lowtemperature glass frit which is disposed between the two sections duringthe final processing of the tube. The sealing operation could beaccomplished wit-hin an evacuated environment or alternatively thepanels may be sealed in vacuum tight relation and provided with a glasstubulation in the side wall of one of the panels. After molding, thetubulation would then be connected to a vacuum System which would beoperative to effect a vacuum of the desired degree within the sealedenvelope. At the end of the pumping cycle the tubulation then would besealed off with a flame, thereby producing an evacuated space within theenvelope.

It is obvious that the invention set forth and described hereinabovedefines a cathode ray tube of the Aiken type which constitutes anadvance over the known cathode ray tubes, in that the integral electrodeand envelope arrangement makes it possible for the tube to withstandshock and vibration loads, having orders of magnitude larger than thosewhich could have been survived by the `earlier designs. The eliminationof a very large number of individual parts, together with their criticalassembly tolerances, greatly reduces the detrimental shrinkages whichwould normally be expected in the manufacture of such a tube, and thearrangement is one which obviously results in the substantial reductionof costs, and the provision of an extremely economical type cathode raytube.

The manner in which the novel concepts of the disclosure may be utilizedin the provision of other cat-hode ray tubes such as set forth in theaforementioned Patent No. 2,795,731, facsimile tubes such as set forthin the copending application, Serial No. 494,386 which was filed March14, 1955, polar coordinate tubes such as set forth in Patent No.2,809,324, which issued on October 8, 1957 to L. A. Shanafelt, andPatent No. 2,821,656, which issued on January 28, 1958 to L. C. Foster,and in providing space discharge devices previously known in the art,will be obvious to the skilled, and are deemed to be within the provinceand scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of manufacture comprising an envelope having at least afirst and a second interior surface, an electron sensitive target meansfixedly positioned in laminated relation with Iat least a portion of oneof said interior envelope surfaces, and at least one strip of anelectrically conducting material fixedly positioned in laminatedrelation with a second one of said interior surfaces to provide anelectron beam deflection member for bending an electron beam from a pathadjacent thereto into registration with said electron sensitive target.

2. In an electron space discharge device, an envelope having a secondarysection including an electron sensitive target, an electron beam source,a primary section including means for directing the electron beam fromsaid source in the direction of said secondary section, and a pair ofelectrically conducting areas coated on opposed inner surfaces of saidenvelope between said first and second sections for controlling the beamcharacteristics in its passage from said primary section to saidsecondary section.

3. An article of manufacture comprising an envelope made of at least afirst section having a viewing Section on at least a portion thereof, asecond section mated therewith including an electrically conductingmaterial including a series of spaced strips coated on a portion of theinterior surface of the second section in superposed relation with theviewing section to provide a deflection set for bending an electron beaminto registration with the viewing portion of said first section.

4. An article of manufacture comprising an envelope having at least afirst and a second interior surface in opposed relation, a series ofelectrically conducting spaced strips coated on one of said envelopeinner surfaces, and an electron sensitive target disposed on at least aportion of the other of said envelope surfaces in facing relation withsaid strips.

5. An article of manufacture comprising an envelope having at least afirst and a second interior surface, an electrically conducting areacomprised of tin oxide coated on at least a portion of one said envelopesurfaces, and an electron sensitive material coated on a cooperatingportion of the other of said envelope surfaces substantially parallelwith said first surface.

6. An article of manufacture comprising an envelope having a firstsection for locating a target and deflection means in spaced relation,and a second section for introducing an electron beam into said envelopealong a given path including a series of strips of an electrically conducting area xedly positioned in laminated relation with at least oneinner envelope surface along said path for bending the beam from saidpath into the space between said target and said deflection means.

7. An article of manufacture comprising an envelope having a firstsection for locating a target and defiection means in fixedly-positionedlaminated relation with a pair of facing inner surfaces of saidenvelope, a plurality of spaced electrically conducting areas fixedlypositioned in laminated relation with a further surface of the tubewhich extends along one marginal edge thereof, and a further sectionincluding means for directing a beam along a path adjacent saidconducting areas for deflection thereby into the space between saidtarget and said deflection means.

8. An article of manufacture comprising an envelope having a firstsection for locating a target and deflection means in spaced relation,said target comprising electron sensitive means disposed on one innersurface of said envelope and said deflection means comprisingelectrically conducting means disposed on an inner envelope surfacewhich `faces said one inner surface, `a plurality of spaced electricallyconducting areas disposed along a marginal edge on the interior of theenvelope, and at least one pair of electrically conducting areasdisposed on said opposed inner envelope surfaces between said firstsection and said plurality of spaced conducting areas adjacent saidmarginal edge.

9. An electron space discharge device comprising an envelope, anelectrically conducting material fxedly positioned in laminated relationwith at least one of the inner envelope surfaces, and an electronsensitive material fixedly positioned in laminated relation with asecond inner envelope surface in opposed relation with said firstsurface, and means for delivering a beam of electrons between saidopposed surface portions for selective deflection from its path by saidconducting material into registration with said electron sensitivematerial.

l0. An electron space discharge device comprising an envelope,electrically conducting means disposed on at least one of the innerenvelope surfaces, electron sensitive means disposed on a second innersurface in opposed relation with said conducting means on said firstsurface, source means for delivering a beam of electrons between saidopposed surface portions, and means for connecting energizing signals tosaid conducting means and said electron sensitive means to effectbending of the beam into registration with said electron sensitivemeans.

l1. An electron space discharge device comprising an envelope, anelectrically conducting area disposed on at least one of the innerenvelope surfaces, an electron sensitive target disposed in opposedsubstantially parallel relation with respect to said electricallyconducting area, and an electron beam source means adapted to deliver abeam of electrons between said electrically conducting area and saidtarget for deflection by the conducting area into registration with saidtarget.

12. An electron space discharge device comprising an envelope, anelectron sensitive target fixedly positioned in laminated relation withone of said envelope inner surfaces, an electrically conducting meansxedly positioned in laminated relation with a second inner surface ofsaid envelope which is located in facing spaced relation with saidtarget, and means adapted to deliver a beam of electrons between saidelectrically conducting means and said target for selective deflectionfrom its path by said conducting means into registration with saidtarget.

13. An electron space discharge device comprising an envelope, at leastone strip of an electrically conducting material fixedly positioned inlaminated relation with at least a portion of one of the envelope innersurfaces, an electron sensitive target disposed on an inner envelopesurface which is in opposed relation with said conducting material, andmeans adapted to sweep a beam of electrons between said conductingmaterial and said electron sensitive target for selective deflectionfrom its path by said conducting material into registration with saidtarget.

14. An electron space discharge device comprising an envelope, a beamdeflection means and a target disposed in spaced relation in saidenvelope, means for introducing a beam of electrons along a path whichextends adjacent an inner marginal edge of said envelope, and meansxedly positioned in laminated relation with an inner surface along saidmarginal envelope edge adjacent the beam path for bending said beam atdifferent intervals along said path into the space between said targetand said deflection means.

l5. An electron space discharge device comprising an envelope, beamdeflection means and a target disposed in spaced relation in a givensection of said envelope, means for introducing a beam of electronsalong an inner marginal edge of said envelope, electrically conductingmeans disposed on opposed facing inner envelope surfaces between saidmarginal edge and said given section, and

13 means disposed on au inner surface of said envelope adjacent the beampath for bending said beam between said electrically conducting meansand into the space between said target and said deection means.

16. An electron space discharge device comprising an envelope, a rstsection including beam deection means comprising a plurality ofelectrically conducting strips coated on a portion of one of the innerenvelope surfaces, and a target comprising a fluorescent material coatedon an inner envelope surface disposed in opposed relation with respectto said conducting strips; means adapted to introduce a beam ofelectrons along a marginal edge of said envelope, electronic lens meansincluding an accelerator and focusing electrode set disposed betweensaid marginal edge and said iirst section comprising pairs of opposingsurfaces in said envelope coated with electrically conducting material,and primary means for directing the beam lfrom its marginal edge paththrough said lens means and into the space between the target and thedeection means comprising a plurality of electrically conducting stripscoated on said marginal edge along the beam path.

17. An electron space discharge device comprising an envelope, beamdeilection means disposed on a first inner surface of said envelope, atarget disposed on a second inner surface of said envelope n opposingspaced relation with said rst surface, means adapted to deliver a beamolf electrons along a iirst inner marginal edge of said envelope, meansfor deecting said beam to a path along a second inner marginal edge ofsaid envelope, and means for bending said beam from said second pathinto the space between said target and said deflection means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,259,165 Karasick Oct. 14, 1941 2,449,558 Lanier et al. Sept. 21, 19482,611,040 Brunetti Sept. 16, 1952 2,642,535 Schroeder June 16, 19532,677,723 McCoy et al. May 4, 1954 2,689,269 Bradley Sept. 14, 19542,795,729 Gabor June 11, 1957 2,795,731 Aiken June 11, 1957 2,831,136Hanlet Apr. 15, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 697,922 Great Britain Sept. 30,1953 698,799 Great Britain Oct. 21, 1953 1,075,268 France Apr. 14, 1954

